New airline to offer flights from Florida to Dominica
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013

Visitors to Dominica from the US mainland will soon have another choice of travel as a new airline will be offering services directly from Fort Lauderdale to Dominica.

CIT Airlines (Caribbean Island Transport) has said on its website that it will begin offering flights to Dominica in January 2014.

“CIT Airways is the national carrier of Dominica offering non stop flights to and from Fort Lauderdale direct to the island of Dominica. The company is a brand new company set up in Florida and is owned by Dominica nationality to help build the country’s economy while providing a viable solution to discover Dominica,” the company’s website said.

Head of the Dominica Airport and Sea Port Authority (DASPA), Benoit Bardouille, has confirmed that the airline is in discussion with the government of Dominica.

“Yes, we are in discussion,” he told DNO.

When asked whether the airline’s target of commencing flights in January 2014 is feasible, Bardouille said only, that the local authorities have to make sure “all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed.”

Marketing director of the airline, Jeffrey Wade, told DNO that negotiations with the government are in the final stages.

“We have a meeting scheduled in Dominica next week with the prime minister as well as the Minister of Transport,” he said.

It appears that the response to the airline has been good.

“Emails and Facebook posts are pouring from individuals from the US and Dominica wanting this to be a huge success. We will go above and beyond to make sure our passengers have a quality flight,” Wade said.

CIT Airways said its hub will be located a the Melville Hall Airport, “and our airline is staffed with experienced and courteous professionals to provide an exceptional level of customer service to our valued customers. The management team are (of) Dominica(n) nationality as well as United States nationality and has a proven track record since 1975 in the airline and hospitality industry.”

CIT said its aircraft is a Boeing 737-300 and carries 140 passengers with 128 in Economy and 12 in business.

“All passengers are allowed 23 kilos (50.6 pounds) of luggage free plus one carry-on piece of luggage that does not exceed an approximate size of 22″x14″x9″ and must fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you. Excess luggage can be paid for directly at our ticket counter in Fort Lauderdale or in Dominica,” the airline’s website said.

Light refreshments will be served for free and alcohol can be purchased along with a few other items and in the business class passengers will enjoy a VIP meal with unlimited free alcoholic beverages.

Melville Hall Airport current runway length is 5,761 ft. Would this be a "reduced weight" B737-300 commercial flight? Why does the airline website look "Unprofessional" with pictures of Airbus 340 with a sunset? Seems too good to be true. Time will tell if this becomes a reality! There is not a lot of information about this company and the folks running the airline. Will the Boeing 737 be leased ie wet or dry leased? Has this company been approved by the FAA for commercial airline operations? I would love some insight here from pilots and aviation Caribbean lovers.

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